Chapter 42

Upon entering the Water Curtain Cave, they happened upon the Red-buttocked Macaque, one of the Four Valiant Generals, preparing to leave. Seeing that things were going badly, the monkey general had no time to react before Nezha struck him unconscious with a Golden Brick.

Seize the Demon Monkey at once! Nezha shouted, pointing at the throne within the cave.

The heavenly generals manifested their true forms and pounced toward the throne, only to find nothing. Pulling back the tiger pelt, they saw that Sun Wukong was nowhere to be found upon it.

We've been tricked! Nezha cried. By then, the other three Valiant Generals had awakened. Seeing the situation, they hurriedly shouted, Guards, come protect the king!

In the blink of an eye, hundreds of Monkey Soldiers surged forth. Nezha led his men into battle. How could these monkey soldiers stand against heavenly gods? Before long, all of Flower-Fruit Mountain had fallen, and every monkey had been captured.

Strangely, no matter how tightly the Heavenly Net and Earthly Net were cast, Sun Wukong had vanished without a trace.

Within the Heavenly Army camp of the First Heaven, a mosquito buzzed its way into the command tent. Inside were only the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King and Marshal Tianpeng, Zhu Lie.

The mosquito first circled around Zhu Lie's face, making him wave repeatedly to drive it away. Yet the mosquito seemed to be having fun, wheeling around above his head. Irritated, Zhu Lie slapped at it fiercely, but the mosquito nimbly dodged, and he struck himself hard enough to sting.

"What is it, Marshal Tianpeng?" the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King asked in confusion.

Zhu Lie replied, "I was just being bothered by a mosquito..." Before he could finish, he suddenly came to his senses. "How could there be mosquitoes in the Heavenly Realm?" He immediately produced the Supreme Treasure Golden Rake and demanded sharply.

At that moment, golden light flashed inside the tent, and Sun Wukong revealed his true form. The Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King hurriedly kicked over the table to block him, then turned to retrieve his pagoda. Sun Wukong smashed the table apart with a single blow of his staff, knocked the Heavenly King to the ground, and seized the Glazed Pagoda.

"Give me back my pagoda!" King Li cried out.

Laughing loudly, Sun Wukong tucked the pagoda into his robes. Seeing this, Zhu Lie swung his rake and charged forward. "Demon Monkey, don't be so arrogant!"

Sun Wukong first used a spell to trap the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, then whirled his Golden Cudgel and fought Zhu Lie.

After barely thirty exchanges, Zhu Lie felt both arms go numb and sore, while the web between his thumb and forefinger split open. Terrified, he feinted and withdrew.

Wukong did not pursue him. Instead, he seized King Li and prepared to return to Flower-Fruit Mountain. By then, Zhu Lie had assembled a hundred thousand heavenly soldiers. Raising his spear, he shouted, "Demon Monkey, don't run! Release the Heavenly King at once, and you may yet be spared!"

Wukong burst into laughter. "What little god are you, daring to block Grandpa Sun's path?"

Zhu Lie declared proudly, "I am the Jade Emperor's personally appointed commander of the eighty thousand Heavenly River naval forces, Marshal Tianpeng!"

"So you're just some water official!" Wukong laughed so hard he doubled over. "Why aren't you staying obediently at the Heavenly River? What are you running here to join the fun for?"

Zhu Lie said no more and led the eighty thousand naval troops in a direct charge. The hundred thousand heavenly soldiers also closed in from every direction. Wukong plucked a handful of fine hair and transformed them into countless duplicates to meet the attack. In an instant, heaven and earth shook, and battle cries echoed across the wilds. Golden armor flashed with cold light, while war banners churned through dark clouds.

In less than half an hour, Wukong had driven back the heavenly soldiers, captured Marshal Tianpeng and the other gods alive, and escorted King Li back toward the lower realm. Just as he reached midair, he saw a force flying toward him from the direction of Flower-Fruit Mountain.

The two sides suddenly came face-to-face, and both were stunned. Nezha was escorting the monkeys of the entire mountain, while Wukong had bound the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King and the other gods. They stared at one another in disbelief.

In Lingxiao Hall, the immortals witnessing this scene covered their faces and sighed.

The two armies faced off in midair, and the atmosphere froze.

After a long while, King Li shouted sternly, "My son Nezha, seize these demon monkeys at once!"

Wukong immediately yelled, "Wait! If you release Old Sun's children, I'll return your father to you. How about it?"

Nezha sneered. "Weapons are instruments of slaughter. How can this be treated as a game? Father is a heavenly general. Dying for the realm is his duty." With a wave of his hand, he ordered, "Generals, escort the demon monkeys back to Heaven for judgment!"

He then bowed to King Li. "Loyalty and filial piety cannot both be fulfilled. Father, please forgive me." Just as he was about to depart, a colossal pillar suddenly stretched across the road ahead—it was Wukong's Golden Cudgel, transformed into a barrier thousands of zhang long.

The moment Nezha's group saw the Golden Cudgel, they immediately raised their weapons and magical treasures at the monkey captives. "Sun Wukong, if you make a single reckless move, we will slaughter your monkeys and their descendants at once."

Marshals Ma and Liu, along with Generals Beng and Ba, gazed at Sun Wukong with tear-filled eyes. "Great king, do not worry about us. Do what must be done for our sake." The monkeys wept without cease, making Sun Wukong both anxious and furious. He shouted at Nezha, "Third Prince, release them, and I'll immediately free the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King."

Instead, Nezha grew even more haughty. "Don't threaten this Crown Prince. I will not release them, no matter what!" As he spoke, he gripped the Demon Slaying Sword tightly. The Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King hurriedly hid behind Sun Wukong, staring nervously at Nezha.

Suppressing his rage, Sun Wukong proposed, "Then let us release them at the same time and settle victory and defeat with real blades."

Nezha sneered. "Who wants to fight you? Since the demon monkeys have already been captured, we should naturally return to the Heavenly Court to claim our reward. Move aside at once!" Holding the monkeys' lives hostage, he forced Sun Wukong to withdraw the Golden Cudgel.

Nezha triumphantly escorted the monkey captives back to camp, while Sun Wukong could only return to Flower-Fruit Mountain with the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King and the others. Once both sides had temporarily ceased hostilities, Nezha immediately claimed credit for his generals and submitted the battle report to the Jade Emperor.

Though the Jade Emperor had long watched everything unfold through the Haotian Mirror, he still could not help laughing after reading the memorial. Nezha's report did not mention his father's safety even once. Instead, he requested to command the army himself and attack Flower-Fruit Mountain again the next day to capture Sun Wukong.

When the immortals and ministers in Lingxiao Hall heard the contents of the memorial, they all covered their mouths and laughed—the discord between father and son of the Li Family had long ceased to be a secret. Had the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King not been captured, Nezha would likely have acted on the spot.

"My immortal ministers, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King and the others have been captured. How should this be handled?" the Jade Emperor asked.

Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion stepped forward with his tablet in hand. "Your servant has two strategies. First, order Nezha to exchange the monkey spirits for the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King. Second, send a capable person into Flower-Fruit Mountain to rescue them."

True Lord Tianpeng immediately objected. "If such a capable person exists, why not simply capture the Demon Monkey directly?"

True Lord Pi Li, Divine Might Subduing Demons, agreed. "Exchanging hostages would be more prudent."

The Jade Emperor pondered briefly. "My minister's first strategy is excellent. Issue an edict at once, ordering Nezha to exchange the captives."

Master Xu respectfully accepted the order and immediately drafted the imperial decree.

Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion spoke again. "Your Majesty, your servant has one more matter to report."

The Jade Emperor smiled. "Speak freely, my minister."

Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion said, "The hostage exchange is of great importance. A capable person must supervise it to prevent any mishap. Your servant wishes to recommend someone."

The Jade Emperor looked mildly surprised. "Whom does my minister recommend?"

Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion replied, "Lord of Lingtai Dongming, Zhuang Yan, can assume this duty."

"Zhuang Yan? Why is he here?" the Jade Emperor asked in confusion. Given Zhuang Yan's rank, he should not have been present.

Grand Supreme Elder Lao explained, "Your Majesty, Lord of Lingtai Dongming was invited to the Peach Banquet. When Sun Wukong stole the elixirs earlier, he and Nezha witnessed it personally."

The Jade Emperor turned to the Queen Mother of the West for confirmation. "Fellow Daoist, you invited Lord of Lingtai Dongming as well?"

The Queen Mother of the West nodded. "He once helped me resolve a difficult matter, so he was specially invited to this Peach Banquet."

The Jade Emperor smiled. "What a coincidence. His first visit to the banquet, and he encounters such a thing." He then said to the Queen Mother of the West, "At the next Peach Banquet, I hope Fellow Daoist will invite him again to make up for today's disappointment."

The Queen Mother of the West answered solemnly, "I shall obey the Great Celestial Venerable's decree."

The Jade Emperor then called out, "Where is Lord of Lingtai Dongming?"

Zhuang Yan adjusted his robes and stepped forward, respectfully saluting. "Your servant, Lord of Lingtai Dongming, pays respects to the Great Celestial Venerable. May Your Majesty's sacred life know no bounds."

"Rise, immortal minister," said the Jade Emperor.

"Thank you, Great Celestial Venerable." Zhuang Yan rose and stood solemnly.

As an Innate Being, Zhuang Yan possessed an extraordinary bearing and heroic presence that drew the attention of every immortal present.

The Jade Emperor took a liking to him at first sight and asked, "Where do you come from, my minister?"

Zhuang Yan replied, "Your servant was born from an innate transformation."

"Excellent." The Jade Emperor praised him repeatedly, then pointed to the decree in Master Xu's hands. "You shall descend to the lower realm to deliver this edict and oversee the hostage exchange. Will you accept this order?"

Zhuang Yan cupped his hands. "Your servant will not fail Your Majesty's trust."

The Jade Emperor nodded in satisfaction and ordered Master Xu to hand the jade decree to Zhuang Yan. Zhuang Yan accepted it and withdrew.

Watching Zhuang Yan depart, the Jade Emperor secretly praised him. I never expected the Three Realms to possess such a talent. Just as Laojun said, he is truly a worthy minister bestowed by Heaven.

Bearing the decree, Zhuang Yan descended to the Heavenly Army camp of the First Heaven.

When the Seventy-two Earthly Fiend Generals guarding the camp gate saw someone approaching, they immediately led their troops forward to block him.

"Halt! This is an important Heavenly Army stronghold. How dare you trespass?" Earthly Fiend Star glared furiously and shouted at Zhuang Yan.

Zhuang Yan calmly raised the jade decree. "Lord of Lingtai Dongming, Zhuang Yan, has come by decree of the Jade Emperor Great Celestial Venerable. Open the camp gates at once. I am here to see Third Prince Nezha and deliver the edict."

Earthly Fiend Star's expression changed. He hastily led the generals down from the walls to greet him. "Welcome, decree of the Celestial Venerable!" He then ordered the heavenly soldiers to throw open the camp gates and personally guided Zhuang Yan through layer upon layer of military tents.

The central command tent blazed with light. Nezha was discussing military affairs with his generals when the tent curtain lifted and Earthly Fiend Star led Zhuang Yan inside. Every gaze in the tent immediately converged upon him.

"Spirit Platform Prefecture Lord?" Nezha put down the military report in his hand, surprise appearing on his face.

Earthly Fiend Star stepped forward to report, "Deputy Marshal, the Prefecture Lord has arrived bearing the Celestial Venerable's decree."

The generals in the tent sprang to their feet. Holding the decree high, Zhuang Yan declared, "By edict of the Jade Emperor Great Celestial Venerable, Deputy Marshal of Demon Subduing Nezha and all generals shall receive the decree."

Nezha strode down from his seat and stood solemnly with the generals, all of them bowing their heads. "Your servants respectfully await the sacred decree."

Zhuang Yan unfurled the jade decree and concisely conveyed the order to exchange hostages. Once he finished, he rolled it up. "Deputy Marshal, receive the decree."

Nezha accepted the decree with both hands and bowed. "Your servant obeys the decree."

After Earthly Fiend Star withdrew to guard the camp gate, Zhuang Yan was seated at a newly arranged supervisory seat beside the command desk. No sooner had he sat down than Nezha said, "We were just discussing the matter of rescuing Father."

"Do you have a good plan?" Zhuang Yan raised a brow.

Nezha shook his head. "No plan has yet been settled."

"Then you might as well follow the decree." Zhuang Yan lightly tapped the desk.

Nezha nodded. "Since the Celestial Venerable has issued a decree, we should naturally exchange hostages with the Demon Monkey. We need to send an envoy to Flower-Fruit Mountain to notify him..." Before he could finish, he suddenly called, "Where is Giant Spirit God?"

The burly divine general stepped forward at once. "This general awaits orders!"

"Take my command arrow to Flower-Fruit Mountain at once and inform Sun Wukong of the hostage exchange."

Giant Spirit God accepted the command arrow and was about to leave when Zhuang Yan abruptly slammed the desk and rose. "Wait!" He rushed outside, but Giant Spirit God had already vanished from sight. Turning back, his gaze shot toward Nezha like lightning. "Deputy Marshal, do you not think this is improper?"

Nezha looked utterly confused. "Why does the Prefecture Lord say so?" He looked around at the generals. "Did I overlook anything?"

The generals all shook their heads. "The Deputy Marshal's arrangements are thorough."

Zhuang Yan silently returned to his seat, his knuckles tapping a dull rhythm against the desk.

A moment later, two heavenly soldiers hurried into the tent to report, "Deputy Marshal, General Giant Spirit God had only just entered Flower-Fruit Mountain and stated his purpose when that Demon Monkey injured and captured him."

Nezha slammed the desk and stood. "I sent him to discuss the hostage exchange, yet that Demon Monkey dares detain an envoy?"

The heavenly soldier replied, "The Demon Monkey said that since an envoy had been sent to discuss the exchange, why had no specific date been set? He claimed there was clearly a trick involved, so he captured General Giant Spirit God."

Nezha slapped his forehead in frustration. "It was my oversight." He turned to Zhuang Yan. "Was that what you intended to say just now?"

Zhuang Yan nodded. "Precisely."